Dow works with partners to meet sustainability challenges in the Philippines

The Midland Daily News

Updated 7:30 am, Sunday, September 18, 2016

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In this provided photo, Dow Leadership in Action participants conduct market research to help support and foster the production and commercialization of dried food products that are acceptable to local and export markets in the Philippines. less

In this provided photo, Dow Leadership in Action participants conduct market research to help support and foster the production and commercialization of dried food products that are acceptable to local and ... more

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In this provided photo, Dow Leadership in Action participants conduct market research to better understand packaging solutions for meat & dairy products to make them competitive in the market.

In this provided photo, Dow Leadership in Action participants conduct market research to better understand packaging solutions for meat & dairy products to make them competitive in the market.

Dow works with partners to meet sustainability challenges in the Philippines

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Forty employees from The Dow Chemical Co., representing 25 sites in 16 different countries departed for Cebu, Philippines earlier this month to join NGOs, social entrepreneurs, universities and government agencies to address pressing local challenges.

The Dow employees are focusing their efforts on six distinct projects that seek to advance access to clean water, increase production of high-quality food crops and support product commercialization, among other challenges.

“Bringing together Dow’s incredibly diverse talent and expertise with dedicated NGO, government and academic partners creates the perfect formula for addressing critical societal needs,” said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow chairman and CEO. “This type of collaboration demonstrates Dow’s commitment to redefine the role of business in society. It is the Human Element at its very best.”

Employees spent one week in Cebu, a culmination to efforts that began in April with the six teams collaborating on the following local solutions:

• Increase access to sufficient and affordable safe water on the Buhisan Watershed, for personal consumption and ornamental plant production, which is the basis of their livelihood.

• Establish business solutions for branding, marketing and packaging of pork and milk products to make them competitive within the mainstream market, without compromising affordability for the current urban poor partners.

• Develop global linkages and networks with foreign universities and organizations to improve the professional employability of graduates of the agricultural programs, as well as develop partnerships with various industries for collaborative research and product development.

• Promote the production and commercialization of dried food products that are accepted by local and export market consumers through the development of a solar and boiler hybrid dryer.

• Educate farmers on techniques to increase the production of high-quality crops, reduce post-harvest loss and support their financial literacy.

• Develop recommendations for funding sources and methodologies to assess the water quality and volume of Tinago Creek as a pilot for subsequent river rehabilitations throughout the city of Cebu.

These projects are part of Dow’s commitment to global citizenship, its Leadership in Action program and the company’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, specifically Dow’s pledge to cross-sector collaboration in order to advance a sustainable planet and society.

Dow’s work in the Philippines supports its strategy in the Asia Pacific region, where the company is growing its presence and impact. Beyond the tangible business benefits, however, are the intangibles gained by the employees who participate, including leadership development, changed perspectives and new insights into how people, products and skills can impact our world. While striving with others to deliver social benefit and business value, the Dow leaders become visionaries for new business opportunities and improved global citizenship.

Since its inception in 2013, 159 employees have participated in Leadership in Action, working with 29 NGOs to benefit communities near Accra, Ghana; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Surabaya, Indonesia.

“Leadership in Action is an investment in the leaders of tomorrow, who in turn are making an investment in the Dow of tomorrow and in the future vitality of the community they are helping,” said Johanna Söderström, corporate vice president of Dow Human Resources. “For Dow to achieve its goal to redefine the role of business in society, our future leaders need to have a deep understanding of the critical needs of society.”